The phrase “Eat Your Own Dog Food” is a common idiom in the business world, particularly within technology and software sectors. It essentially means that a company should use its own products or services internally. This practice, also known as “dogfooding,” serves as a form of quality assurance and demonstrates confidence in what the company offers to its customers. The saying suggests that if a product is good enough for the market, it should certainly be good enough for the company’s own employees to use daily.
Origins and Evolution of “Eat Your Own Dog Food”
While the precise origin of the phrase is debated, “eat your own dog food” is widely attributed to Microsoft during the 1980s. It was a strategy championed to ensure that Microsoft’s own software was rigorously tested and improved. The idea was simple yet powerful: Microsoft employees, particularly software developers, were expected to use Microsoft’s operating systems and development tools to create new software. This internal use provided direct feedback, highlighted bugs, and drove improvements in product usability and performance.
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The concept of “dogfooding” has expanded beyond software companies. Today, it’s relevant across various industries. Any company that provides a product or service can benefit from implementing this principle. From food companies testing their own recipes to car manufacturers using their own vehicles as company cars, the core idea remains the same: practice what you preach and validate your offerings through internal use.
The Benefits of “Eating Your Own Dog Food”
Quality Assurance and Product Improvement
One of the primary benefits is improved product quality. By using their own products, companies gain firsthand experience of their strengths and weaknesses. This direct feedback loop allows for quicker identification of bugs, usability issues, and areas for improvement that might not be apparent through external testing alone.
Demonstrating Confidence and Credibility
“Eating your own dog food” also sends a strong message to customers. It demonstrates confidence in the product and builds credibility. If a company isn’t willing to use its own offerings, why should customers trust them? Internal use signals belief in the product’s value and functionality.
Cost Savings and Efficiency
In some cases, using in-house products can also lead to cost savings and increased efficiency. Companies can avoid purchasing competing products and streamline internal processes by leveraging their own solutions.
“Eat Your Own Cooking” – A Financial Parallel
A related concept exists in the financial world, particularly in investment management, often referred to as “eat your own cooking.” This idiom is very similar in principle to “eat your own dog food.” It emphasizes that fund managers should invest their own money in the funds they manage.
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The idea is that if a fund manager truly believes in their investment strategy and the potential of their fund, they should be willing to invest their personal capital alongside their clients. This alignment of interests can reassure investors and suggests that the fund manager is genuinely invested in the fund’s success.
Studies, like the one conducted by Morningstar in 2015, have even shown a correlation between fund manager personal investment and fund performance. Funds where managers invested significant personal funds often outperformed those where managers had no or minimal personal investment.
Real-World Example: Hodges Capital Management
Hodges Capital Management effectively uses the “eat your own cooking” analogy in their marketing. They highlight that their portfolio managers invest in the funds they manage, drawing a parallel to not hiring a vegetarian as a steakhouse chef. This emphasizes their belief in their investment strategies and aligns their interests with their clients.
Conclusion
“Eating your own dog food” is more than just a catchy phrase; it’s a business philosophy with tangible benefits. It promotes product excellence, builds trust, and aligns internal practices with external promises. Whether it’s software, services, or investment funds, the principle of using your own offerings is a powerful way to ensure quality and demonstrate genuine confidence in what you provide to the world.
